John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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745. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of autism spectrum disorder units attached to primary and secondary schools in the Clondalkin catchment area; if there are sufficient units to meet the need of children in this area; her plans to increase the number of primary and second level units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7230/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs, including children with autism, should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational needs require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available.

Parents can choose to enrol children with autism in an early intervention class from the age of three and where such a placement is not available home tuition may be approved. Children with autism over the age of four may also be eligible for home tuition if a school placement is not available for them.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of special classes in various geographical areas as required. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.

The NCSE continues to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to establish such new special classes where necessary subject to the willingness of schools to open classes.

I understand that the number of special classes for students with ASD in the Clondalkin catchment area is 4, 3 of which are at primary level and 1 is an early intervention class. There are a further 25 ASD classes in the broader geographical area including primary level classes in City West, Saggart, Killinarden, Lucan, Kishogue, Esker, Adamstown, Greenhills and Kimmage and post primary classes in Ballyfermot, Lucan, Crumlin and Greenhills.

Full details of all of the special classes that are currently provided is available at www.ncse.ie.

The NCSE have advised that SENOs are also currently liaising with schools regarding the establishment of further classes for 2016/17 school year.

I have arranged for the Deputy's request for specific detail in relation to placement availability in the area referred to, to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.